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COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

The Power Vertical

The Power Vertical is a blog and podcast for Russia wonks and Kremlin watchers by Brian Whitmore. It covers emerging and developing trends in Russian politics, shining a spotlight on the high-stakes power struggles, machinations, and clashing interests that shape Kremlin policy today.

Host and Eurasia Center Senior Fellow Brian Whitmore invites guest experts to deliver their insights and analysis in this weekly podcast. The Atlantic Council and the Charles T. McDowell Center for Global Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington co-sponsor this production.

The Russia Tomorrow series

recent events

The Eurasia Center’s mission is to enhance transatlantic cooperation in promoting stability, democratic values and prosperity in Eurasia, from Eastern Europe and Turkey in the West to the Caucasus, Russia and Central Asia in the East.

Content

In the News

Aug 28, 2021

O’Toole quoted in The Economist about Russia’s attempts to circumvent sanctions

By Brian O’Toole

Read the whole article here.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Aug 27, 2021

Ukrainian leaders to Biden: Standing with the world’s democracies means changing course on Nord Stream 2

By a group of Ukrainian lawmakers, leaders, civil society activists, and experts

In a letter to President Joe Biden, more than 50 Ukrainian policymakers, leaders, experts, and civil society activists call for the United States to change course on support for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Corruption Geopolitics & Energy Security

MENASource

Aug 27, 2021

Saudi Arabia is trying to make America jealous with its budding Russia ties

By Mark N. Katz

Moscow’s ongoing relationship with Tehran—which Russia will not give up for the sake of improved relations with the Kingdom—is likely to induce Riyadh to keep its improving ties with Moscow within bounds.

Europe & Eurasia Middle East

In the News

Aug 26, 2021

Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center experts joined Laluce News to discuss “The future of the relationship between Afghanistan and the West”

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan China

In the News

Aug 26, 2021

Binnendijk in Defense News: Here’s how Biden could mitigate damage done by the Afghan withdrawal

By Hans Binnendijk

Hans Binnendijk and Robert Bell write that the United States must act quickly to mitigate the damage done to America’s global credibility and alliance leadership

Afghanistan Arms Control

UkraineAlert

Aug 25, 2021

Putin’s pipeline poses an “existential threat” to Ukraine

By Diane Francis

The CEO of Ukraine's energy giant Naftogaz, Yuriy Vitrenko, has branded Vladimir Putin's Nord Stream 2 pipeline project an existential threat to Ukraine and a security threat to Europe as a whole.

Conflict Geopolitics & Energy Security

BelarusAlert

Aug 25, 2021

Lukashenka goes all in with Putin

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues to escalate his confrontation with the West in an apparent bid to convince Russia's Vladimir Putin that he remains a loyal and indispensable ally.

Belarus Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Aug 23, 2021

Biden can reassert US leadership by backing Ukraine against Russia

By Alexander Vershbow

President Biden must use his August 31 meeting with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy to underline America's commitment to defending the rules-based international order and supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Aug 23, 2021

Is Ukraine’s split from Russia now irreversible?

By Peter Dickinson

Ukraine’s split from Russia ranks as one of the most consequential European events since the Soviet collapse. But is this geopolitical divorce now final, or could Moscow still force Kyiv back into Russia's orbit?

Conflict Democratic Transitions

In the News

Aug 22, 2021

Samad quoted in The Global Herald on the Taliban rule in Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan China

Experts